The cost of corn for the 2026/27 harvest in Mato Grosso is projected at R$ 3,800 per hectare.

The harvest of the 2025/26 second corn crop in Mato Grosso advanced to 11.29% of the estimated area in the second week of June. The data, released by the Mato Grosso Institute of Agricultural Economics (Imea), represents an advance of more than 5 percentage points (pp) compared to the previous week and surpasses that recorded in the same period of the 24/25 crop, when work reached approximately 7% of the cultivated area. Furthermore, the current rate is approaching the average of the last five years in the state. According to data from the new Imea bulletin, the area destined for corn cultivation in the current crop remained at 7.39 million hectares. With the June revision, the average productivity is estimated at 120.28 sacks per hectare, while total production should reach 53.35 million tons. For Imea's agricultural analyst, Milena Bezerra, the pace of work is aligned with the state's recent history and could gain even more speed if weather conditions remain favorable. "The corn harvest in Mato Grosso continues to advance, reaching 11.29% of the total area by last Friday, June 12th. This pace represents an advance of just over 5 percentage points compared to the previous week and surpasses the performance of the 2024/25 crop, placing it close to the average of the last five years for the state. If weather conditions remain favorable, fieldwork should gain an even faster pace in the coming weeks, consolidating a scenario of good productivity," it says. While the current crop advances in the field, producers are already monitoring the costs for the next production cycle. According to a survey by the Agricultural Production Cost Project (CPA), developed by Senar MT through Imea, the cost of the 2026/27 crop was estimated at R$ 3,799.42 per hectare in May of this year, an increase of 14.46% compared to the consolidated figure for the 25/26 crop. The Effective Operating Cost (EOC) was projected at R$ 5,528.49 per hectare, a 15.03% increase compared to the previous year. To cover the EOC, considering the projected productivity of 120.28 sacks per hectare, the producer needs to sell the corn at at least R$ 45.96 per sack. Regarding the Total Cost (TC) in the state, this is estimated at R$ 7,418.49 per hectare, representing a 10.30% increase compared to the previous season. According to Milena, in addition to the increased costs, planning for the next harvest requires attention to the possible effects of the El Niño phenomenon on the planting calendar. “Regarding the 26/27 harvest, the scenario calls for caution due to the secondary impact of El Niño. Unlike soybeans, where the impact is direct, in corn the phenomenon affects the first crop, potentially compromising the planting window for the second corn crop. In addition, production costs have increased, with estimated costs in May reaching R$ 3,800 per hectare,” he explains. 

This text was translated by machine from Brazilian Portuguese.